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Australian Seniors Reveal Their Holiday Plans

Did you know that the most popular international travel destination for Australian seniors is Europe? Fully escorted tours through the wonders of France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland continue to top the wish lists, with river cruising also being a particularly popular way to travel.

But while many wouldn’t be surprised to find that Europe is high on the bucket list, they may be surprised to know that travelling within Australia is actually more than twice as popular than any international region, according to a recent survey of seniors aged over 50.

Ahead of the USA, New Zealand, South East Asia and even Europe, 43.7% of Australian seniors prefer to travel interstate or local and explore our own country – and most prefer to do it behind the wheel of a car or camper.

Grey nomads touring the country

Australian road trips are nearly twice as popular with seniors (46%) as they are with Millennials (25%), a trend which is borne out by the Grey Nomad phenomenon.

This phenomenon sees flocks of like-minded seniors fill up the caravan parks and campgrounds to enjoy a leisurely, highly social migration north for the winter and then south again for the summer months. And why do we move to where the weather is best? For beach holidays of course!

Australia has the best beach holidays

Most seniors, and even millennials, agree we do beach holidays better here in Australia than anywhere else in the world.

Remember to protect your skin when hitting the beach – as you age you are more at risk of basal and squamous cell skin cancers, primarily due to the increased amount of sun exposure you receive during your life.

Tasmania is by far the most popular state amongst seniors, with almost 1 in 5 calling it their dream interstate holiday destination. After Tasmania (18.4%), other popular interstate destinations include Queensland (8.8%), Western Australia (7%), Northern Territory (5.3%) and Melbourne (4.4%).

Tasmanian fly-drive holidays have always been popular, but a growing senior population means this leisurely way to see the Apple Isle is becoming increasingly popular by the day.

Today’s increasing volume of travelling seniors

Interestingly, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the number of Australians aged 65-74 year olds who travel overseas has increased by more than 80% in the past five years. And thanks to advanced medicine, more comprehensive travel insurance options and innovative products that make travelling easier for Australian seniors, this trend is only going to keep growing.

So what are you waiting for? No matter how old you are, there’s no reason not to pack your bags and jump on the travel bandwagon today!